Adam Dunn scores — and avoids a collision with Carlos Ruiz — in the fifth inning.

So, let's recap the events of the last four days in NatsTown, shall we?

Stephen Strasburg goes on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation.

Matt Capps gets traded to the Twins.

Cristian Guzman gets traded to the Rangers.

Adam Dunn trade rumors reach a fever pitch.

Oh yeah, and the Nationals take three of four from the top two teams in their division, capped by tonight's 8-1 thumping of Roy Oswalt and the Phillies.

Maybe these guys just need to have chaos surrounding them in order to play well.

Or maybe they're just really good at blocking out the peripheral stuff that consumes everyone else this time of year.

"I think our guys are able to put that stuff away and play the game," Jim Riggleman said. "I'm sure they think about that stuff on the drive home or when they get home. You can't help but think about it. You read the papers, and you know a lot of the speculation that's on the networks. It's on guys' minds, but they're pros and they've beenRead more »

Like this:

It was so nice to go to a game and see good pitching, good hitting, good fielding and good managing all in the same beautiful night. I mean, things were going so well you could even laugh off Nyjer's requisite baserunning foul-up. And then to come home and watch Capps pick up a save… What a great night.I figure in about 10 more minutes I'll join everyone else in whining about everything again, but for a little while it's just fun to be a Nats fan…Apparently the way to get the Philies fans to shut up is to win. Who would have thunk it?

I have an issue with the caption underneath the picture "Adam Dunn scores — and avoids a collision with Carlos Ruiz — in the fifth inning." This was just after Dunn had been hit by a pitch and I believe Dunn would have gladly plowed into someone if given the opportunity. I am curious whether Dunn was waved around by Listach or if he was looking for contact. Notice how Oswalt was standing right behind the plate when Dunn crossed and had to move out of the way. After 2 guys got hit why no retaliation? Oh, and by the way, GREAT WIN!! A phillie needs to take one in the next 2 days though.

I was at the park in the grandstands. Philly fans behind me. Philly fans in front of me. Loud, proud and in the crowd but hopefully not too over the top. They cheered Oswalt so I couldn't hear the Miss Iowa interview. They cheered the wrong people during pregames and booed us during pregames so I had to try to boo louder. They drank too much. But in the end, both sets of Philly fans were gone by the 8th inning and the family of five couldn't even bear the pain long enough to watch the fireworks.Capps for Ramos? Guzman for anything? 3 of 4 from the Braves and Phillies? Give me either the Dunn extension at the right price or deal that's a strong and doesn't include Edwin Jackson and I'll be all good with Rizzo. This world of GM competence bewilders me.

It's so very, very nice to send the Phillies fans home crying in their beers. They must be quite bewildered–how could Oswalt let them down? He's Roy 2.0, Roy Story 2, the last bit of cement in the Phillies' wall marching inexorably towards the post-season.HA! HAH HAH!Oh, and congrats to Matt Capps on his first save for the Minnesota Senators.

Did anyone notice that EVERY Nat in the starting line-up last night reached base at least once during the game. The only two to do so without a hit were Pudge (IBB) and Des (E5). Everyone else, including Stammen, had at least one hit. Fun!

You forgot to add that the guy you mentioned yesterday as a non-closer, Joel Hanrahan, struck out the side in the Pirates/Cardinals game and blew away Albert Pujols on a 98 MPH fastball with big time movement that Pujols swung and missed on.Hanrahan may not be a closer but has been a decent setup man and has always been a good guy!

So much fun at the game last night! When phillie fans cheered, "let's go phillies," which they did loudly, I responded with, "SCOREBOARD". That shut them up and felt good. I've never liked Oswalt very much, but he's amazing to watch pitch. Wild mechanics and good speed for a such a short guy. Oh. And Stras was in right field during BP before the game. I don't think he made a play on any fly balls but he fielded a grounder or two. He'd then pass the ball to the guy next to him who threw it back in. First time I've been to BP. A great night. I hope they can get a win tonight. It looks like the game might sell out or close. I'm hoping to get a 5$ seat since I don't have my partial season seats tonight.

OK. We are all officially onthe Dunn watch…I agree with Mark that Edwin Jackson and a minor leaguer is not acceptable from both a talent and a financial aspect but Dunn straight up for Wade Davis from Tampa Bay… hmmmmm?

NatsJack even Wade Davis straight up would not be enough. They'd have to throw in Desmond Jennings or BJ Upton. Rizzo didn't really want to trade him unless they gave him a Denny McLain for Ed Brinkman, Aurelio Rodriguez, and Joe Coleman kind of deal. Then he might have pulled the trigger.They are going to sign him, and next month looks like it may be a good time since Harper / Solis / and Cole negotiations must ensue anyway. Allowing for focus on a single important category at a time.

Desmond Jennings regressed this year so at 23 years old he is looking like another great athlete who just won't be more than a bench player at the MLB level.I want Jeremy Hellickson and Wade Davis in order to make this deal.

Well if anyone thinks that the Rays are going to trade either Hellickson or Jennings for a Dunn rental, they are going to be sorely disappointed. That's an absurd asking price (at least in the sense that the Rays, of all teams, would never, ever make that deal).